Label applying mechanism



y 2, 1967 w. H. HARLAN LABEL APPLYING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledDec. 16, 1964 INVENTOR. Warren H. Harlan y 2, 1957 w. H. HARLAN3,316,877

LABEL APPLYING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 16, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Warren H. Harlan azy Filed Dec. 16, 1964 y 2, 1967 w. H. HARLAN3,316,877

LABEL APPLYING MECHANI SM 3 $heets-$heet :5

Fig. 6

INVENTOR. Warren H. Hiurlun United States PatentO 3,316,877 LABELAPPLYING MECHANHSM Warren H. Harlan, Greenhills, Ohio, assignor to TheProcter and Gamble Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of OhioFiled Dec. 16, 1964, Ser. No. 418,801 5 Ciaims. (Cl. 118---236) Thisinvention relates to labeling machines and more particularly to labelapplying mechanisms utilizing spreadable, conjointly swinging pickingelements adapted to remove a label from a hopper or magazine and deliverthe label, adhesively coated on one face, into a transfer position forsubsequent application to a container.

In labeling machines of the general type to which this invention isdirected, ungummed labels are arranged in a stackin a hopper with theprinted face thereof upright, an adhesive is applied to one surface of amovable picker, the adhesive coated surface of the picker is broughtinto contact with the bottom or exposed label in the hopper, the pickeris then moved away from the hopper with the exposed label adhered to itssurface, and this label is then transferred from the picker to thesurface of the article to be labeled.

US. Patent 2,414,019, which issued to S. T. Carter on Jan. 7, 1947, andUs. Patent 1,901,101, which issued to C. Holm on Mar. 14, 1933, arerepresentative of prior art teachings relating to the general form ofapparatus contemplated by this invention. The Carter device is actuallyan improvement to the apparatus disclosed by Holm. In the Holm patentthe picking mechanism is the type in which two picker elements (commonlyreferred to as picker blades or picker plates) disposed in the sameplane, cooperate to remove the label from the magazine, the pickerblades being movable toward and from each other while maintained inplanar alignment for the purpose, among others, of spreading theadhesive evenly over the label before withdrawing the latter from thehopper. It will be understood from the foregoing that the Holm pickerblades are coated on one surface with the adhesive, swung upwardly whilein their closed position to contact the exposed label in the hopper, andthen the blades are spread to their open position while the exposedlabel remains at the bottom of the hopper stack. Following the spreadingoperation the blades are swung downwardly to the transfer position wherea narrow, vacuum-airequipped gripfinger passes between the separatedblades to strip the label therefrom and (holding the label by theprinted face) transfers the label to a container being processed.

In connection with machines of this general type, when blade-likepickers are used for removing labels from a magazine of the normalvariety, it is necessary to provide openings in the picker plates toaccommodate the label retaining prongs of the magazine. Since the bladesare intended to spread at the hopper, these openings are required to beelongated by an amount generally equal to the spreading movement of theindividual blades. Because of the elongated openings the film ofadhesive is not continuous across the coated surface of the blades andspots bare of adhesive are left on the label at a location correspondingwith the openings. Furthermore, as stated in the Carter patent, unlessthe aggregate width of the picker blades equals or exceeds the width ofthe label, the margins or center of the label may not receive a propercoating of gum. For this reason the dimensions of the picker bladescannot be reduced so as to eliminate the problems caused by theopenings.

Another shortcoming of machines wherein the picker spreading operationis performed at the hopper resides in the fact that the support orbackup for the exposed label merely comprises the superposed stack oflabels.

3,316,877 Patented May 2, 19.67

Since the height of the stack varies during the operation of the labelerand label supplies are sometimes warped or wrinkled it will beunderstood that incomplete application of adhesive to the label is a.recurrent problem. The use of auxiliary stack follower devices reducesthe problem to some extent, but cannot eliminate it because the pressureon the stack, if too great, will prevent the withdrawal of the exposedlabel.

A further shortcoming of this type of machine is that the supportsurface afforded by the label retaining prongs must be made as small aspossible to reduce the size of the above-described openings in theblades. As a result, the relatively small supporting area at the bottomof the prongs exerts sufiicient pressure on the portions of the exposedlabel resting thereon to cause the label to become puckered or marked.

It was the stated object of the Carter invention to improve the pickerelements of the Holm patent so as to insure the application of adhesiveto the entire surface of the label, even though the pickers haveapertures therein or are of less aggregate width than the width of thelabel. In the Carter device the picker elements are laterally separableand a label-size pneumatic transfer pad is employed. When the pickerelements (then disposed in the closed or edge to-edge position) arriveat the transfer position carrying a label adherent to their adhesivecoated surfaces, the picker elements slide away from each other, toright and left, while the label-size pneumatic transfer pad grips thelabel and provides the backup for proper glue spreading. The transferpad then advances between the separated picker elements to place thelabel on the article. Thus, the Carter invention improved the capabilityof the labeler to spread glue over the whole surface of the label, andsimultaneously provided a more effective label backup means during theglue spreading operation to obviate the problems faced by Holm in viewof the constantly changing label stack height and the variation incondition of the label supplies, although these latter points were notspecifically mentioned in the Carter specification.

However, labeling machines constructed to perform the glue spreading atthe transfer position have had to use gripfingers substantiallyidentical in size with that of the label being transferred in order toadequately support the label while the picker blades or plates areseparated. Con: sequently, during the transfer operation it becamenecessary for the movement of the picker elements to cause them tobecome separated by a distance somewhat greater than the width of thelabel being applied to permit the gripfinger to pass therebetween. Whilethis may appear to be a relatively small shortcoming in such machines,it acquires substantially more importance considering the range of labelwidths which can be applied by split picker labelers of given lengths.In other words, if the picker blades or plates on such a labeler must beseparated at transfer by a distance in excess of the label width, thenfor a specific length of machine the maximum label size which can behandled will be substantially smaller than that which could be handledby a labeling machine in which the glue spreading operation is performedat the label hopper. The reason for the disparity is that in the lattercase it is not necessary for the gripfinger to be equivalent in size tothe label being handled and, hence, the picker blades do not have to bewidely separated at the transfer station.

From the above it will be recognized that in each form of mechanismdescribed, the features of one which distinguish the machine from theother correct one or more shortcomings in the other machine but in sodoing present other and substantially equally important disadvantages.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate the abovedifficulties.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a label feedingmechanism which incorporates the advantages of each of the types oflabel feeding devices described, while eliminating the shortcomingsthereof, so as to provide a label feeding mechanism which is capable ofhigh-speed operation, which assures the adequate spreading of glue onthe face of the label being applied, which substantially eliminates themarking of the exposed label by the label retaining prongs and which iscapable of in corporation in a labeling machine to thereby adapt it tohandle a considerable range of sizes in labels without unduly extendingthe length of the machine.

Briefly stated, in accordance with one aspect of this invention, thereis provided a label hopper, a label picking means adapted to withdraw anexposed label from the hopper and comprising a pair of picker elementsmovable towards and from each other in the same plane and a means forapplying adhesive to the elements. The picker elements are adapted to bemoved, in closely adjacent (closed) relation, to contact the back of theexposed label and then brought to a transfer position therebywithdrawing and transporting the exposed adherent label to the transferposition. Means is provided to cause the picker elements to be separatedand thus spread the adhesive thereon evenly over the back of the labelwhile the elements are at the transfer position. The device includes atransfer pad with a label gripping face operative to engage the front ofthe label and retain the label while the picker elements are separated.The transfer pad has a width substantially narrower than that of thelabel and is adapted to contact the label front with the vertical centerlines of the pad and label aligned; consequently, corresponding portionsof the label extend outwardly, beyond the sides of the transfer pad atthe transfer position. A backup arm is mounted on the device and ismoved to the transfer position in timed relationship with the pickerelements and the transfer pad. The backup arm has a pair of coplanarlabel cont-acting surfaces thereon adapted to be placed in the plane ofthe label gripping face of the transfer pad, with one of the surfaceslying to either side of the transfer pad, at the transfer position.Thus, while the picker elements are being separated, each of theportions of the label which overhang the transfer pad are fullysupported during the glue spreading operation.

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming the subject matter-which is regarded as thepresent invention, it is believed the invention will be betterunderstood from the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of one form of label applyingmechanism incorporating the present invention and shows the associatedelements disposed in the relative positions occupied imediately prior tothe picking of the exposed label in the hopper;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of Se lected elements of thedevice of FIGURE 1, illustrating the relative positions of the elementsat the time that the picker plates reach the transfer position;

. FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the elementsof FIGURE 2 at the transfer position immeidately before the gluespreading operation;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the elements ofFIGURE 3 at the transfer position following the glue spreadingoperation;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the relativepositions of the movable elements of FIGURE 1 immediately followingstripping of the label from the picker plates:

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the elements ofFIGURE 5 as the label is applied to a container and the picker platesare receiving a coating of glue prior to assuming the relationship ofFIGURE 1, and

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of the label gripping face of the gripfingertransfer pad.

Referring to the drawings there is shown the combination of elementsutilized to secure a label from a label hopper, apply glue to the backof the label andsplace the label on a container. These elements compriseone label feeding station on a labeler machine and in order to attainhigh speed production a multiplicity of such label feeding stationswould be located juxtaposed at the inlet end of the machine. Followingthe application of the label to the container in the manner to behereinafter described, a different series of stations on the labeler isutilized to smooth and firmly press the label into contact with thelabel receiving surface of the container. Since the subsequentoperations play no part of the present invention a detailed descriptionthereof is not included herein.

The elements to be described are designed specifically for applicationto the Super CM Labeler currently marketed by the Economic MachineryDivision of George J. Meyer Manufacturing Company. The construction ofthis machine is well known to those of ordinary skill in the labelingart and consequently, a suitable description of the driving mechanism,camming means, and other such details of the machine which cooperateWith the elements to be described is considered unnecessary and hastherefore been omitted for the sake of clarity of the description. Inaddition, reference may be had to the above-mentioned patents to Carterand Holm and to the US. Patents 1,630,235 and 2,528,944 (which issued,respectively, to A. P. Ekvall on May 24, 1927, and S. T. Carter onNovember 7, 1950) for details of devices capable of imparting therequired movements to the elements described'hereinafter.

The principal elements comprising the label feeding station employingthe present invention are the picker means 1f), the label magazine orhop-per 11, the adhesive or glue applicating means 12, the gripfinger 13and the backup arm 14.

The picker means 10 comprises a pair of castings 15, 15 each of whichincludes a bearing sleeve portion 16 or 16 by means of which thecastings are independently mounted for axial sliding movement on, andrelative rotary movement with, picker shaft 17. Extending downwardlyfrom each sleeve 16, 16 is an integral connecting car 18, 18 adapted toprovide support for the picker plates to be described. Only afragmentary portion of the castings 15, 15 is shown and it will beunderstood that each of the castings will be provided with at leastanother sleeve 16 or 16' for support, and that for machines including amultiplicity of label applying stations, the castings will also haveother pairs of connecting cars 18, 18 corresponding in number andlocation with the other stations. The castings are each connected, bymeans not shown, to linkages adapted to simultaneously impart equal andopposite axial sliding movement to the castings on the shaft 17, wherebythe cars 18, 18' cyclically become separated (as illustrated in FIGURES4 and 5) and'contiguous (as disclosed in FIGURES 1-3 and 6). At eachstation of the machine, the ears 18 associated with casting 15 moveaxially to the left and the ears 18' of casting 15' slide to the rightwhen separating; to close, the movement is opposite that described.Means, not shown, is also provided to maintain the castings 15, 15'relatively non-rotatable, with each pair of ears 18, 18 coplanar duringthe entire machine cycle, and to periodically cause the castings 15, 15to oscillate, abreast of one another, on the shaft 17.

Picker elements or plates 19, 19' are each removably attached to thecars 18, 18', respectively, by a rib and groove arrangement (to maintainproper alignment) which is secured by a machine screw or the like. The:picker plates 19, 19' are provided at the distal. ends label half whichit is to contact.

thereof, with label contacting surfaces 20, 20' each of which issubstantially identical in configuration to the The composite surfaceformed by the contiguous surfaces 20, 20 when the picker plates 19, 19'are closely adjacent (closed) is about Ms smaller in width than, andsubstantially the same length as, the face of label L which is to bepicked from the hopper 11. If necessary, the picker plates 19, 19 couldbe notched to avoid contact with the hopper prongs describedhereinafter. These picker plates 19, 19' are removed and replaced byother similar plates provided with correctly configured label contactingsurfaces when a different size label is to be run on the labelingmachine.

The hopper or magazine 11 is supported from the machine frame by a plate21, which has a cutout 22 at each label feeding station. The cutout 22is somewhat larger than the labels L and the hopper 11 is centeredthereover. The hopper 11 comprises a pair of label retaining prongs 23on one side, a pair of prongs 23a on the other side and one or moreprongs 2312 on the lower end. Each of the prongs 23, 23a and 23b areretained in position by outwardly extending projections 23 adjustablysecured to the plate 21 at points along the periphery of cutout 22. Theprongs 23, 23a and 23b preferably are rectangular in cross section andare perpendicular to the plate 21.

The lower ends of prongs 23 are interconnected by a metallic strip 24which extends parallel to the plane of plate 21 and is fastened to thelabel contacting (inside) surface of prongs 23 by suitable means such asmachine screws, brazing or the like. The thickness of the strip projectsinwardly of the prongs 23 and in a plane perpendicular to the thickness,the strip is formed to match the contour of the corresponding side ofthe label L. Preferably, the strip 24 has a thickness of about ,1

. and a top surface which is smooth and free of burrs. The

lower ends of prongs 23a are similarly interconnected by metallic strip24, which is at the same level as strip 24. The strip 24- is fastened,sized and configured as described above, but is of opposite hand.

The prongs 23b are preferably substantially linear (not provided withany inward projection at the bottom) and function merely as a means toretain the labels in stack form in proper position in the hopper. Bymeans of the construction described, the prongs 23, 23a and 23b acceptand support a stack of labels L within the cutout, the smooth topsurfaces of the inwardly extending strips 24, 24 acting as narrowsupporting ledges underlying each side of the lowermost label andpresent the only means for restraining the stack from downward verticalmovement with respect to the plate 21. If desired, a weight or aspring-loaded follower plate, not shown, could be used to bias thelabels downwardly. Due to the area of the supporting ledges, thepressure exerted on the stack will be sufficiently well distributed tosubstantially eliminate any stretching or marking of the exposed label.

The adhesive or glue applicating means 12 comprises a reservoir Rcontaining a supply of adhesive G. A glue delivery roll 25 is rotatablysupported on the end walls of the reservoir R and driven by a sprocketand chain 26 so as to continuously revolve in contact with the adhesiveG. A doctor knife 27 is adjustably spaced from the delivery roll 25 andis adapted to regulate the distribution and thickness of the adhesivefilm retained on the delivery roll 25. Alternatively, a film gaging rollor other Well known means may be used to regulate the film thickness.Glue transfer roll 28 is mounted for free rotation on a pair of swingingtransfer roll arms 29, only one of which is shown, which are adapted tooscillate in timed relation with the oscillations of the picker plates'19, 19'. At the lower extremity of movement the transfer roll arms 29place the glue transfer roll 28 contiguous to the glue delivery roll,whereby a coating of adhesive is applied to the periphery of thetransfer roll 28; at the upper extremity of movement, the glue transferroll assumes the position shown in FIGURE 5, ready to swing downwardlyacross the label contacting surfaces 20, 20 as the picker plates 19, 19'move upwardly toward the hopper 11.

A gripfinger 13 is clamped or otherwise non-rotatably aflixed at eachstation to a hollow gripfinger shaft 30 which is cyclically caused tomake a predetermined series of angular movements and to move axially,paralleling the path of travel of the containers continuously movingthrough the labeling machine. These cyclical movements are controlled bycam arrangements which will be readily understood by those of ordinaryskill in the art. The gripfinger shaft 30 is plugged at the ends and theinterior thereof is adapted to be selectively placed in communicationwith a source of vacuum or a source of pressurized air by means of avacuum-air control, not shown. The vacuum-air control causes thepressure within the shaft 30 to alternately change from subatmosphericto super-atmospheric at predetermined points in the cycle, as will beexplained.

The gripfinger 13 comprises an arm 31 at the top of which is integrallyformed a channel-like member 32 adapted to receive the central leg of asubstantially T shaped transfer pad support 33. A removable pivot pin 34afiixes the transfer pad support 33 within the central groove extendinglengthwise along the member 32 and permits the support 33 to be pivoted,within limits, on the member 32. If desired, each of the ends of the padsupport 33 may be spring-loaded. By this construction minor correctionsmay be made to the plane of the face of the transfer pad 35 which isfirmly attached to the support 33. The transfer pad 35 may beconstructed of an elastomeric material such as rubber sheetstock havinga thickness of about /4". As shown in FIGURE 7 the outer face of the pad35 is provided with a number of shallow vacuum grooves 35a radiatingfrom each of a pair of apertures 35]; which are perpendicular to theface and spaced along the longitudinal center line of the pad. Avacuum-air passageway is formed in the interior of the transfer padsupport 33, extending from the lower end thereof and having twobranches, each of which interconnect with one of the apertures in thetransfer pad 35. A flexible hose 36 and suitable fittings interconnectthe vacuum-air passageway in the transfer pad support 33 with theinterior of gripfinger shaft 30 to thereby cause vacuum to act throughthe apertures 35]) and grooves 35a in the face of transfer pad 35 whenthe-pad is placed in contact with a label and pressurized air tosimilarly act when the label is released.

The transfer pad 35 is substantially narrower than the label L so thatwhen the outer face of the pad contacts the vertical central portion ofthe label, oppositely disposed side portions of the label extendoutwardly beyond the sides of the pad. The width of the transfer pad 35is preferably the maximum Width which will pass between the separatedpicker plates 19, l9 without danger of marking (creasing) the labelduring the stripping operatlon to be described. About /21" clearance oneach side of the transfer pad 35 has been found to be satisfactory inoperation. For varying sizes of labels, different transfer pad35-transfer pad support 33 assemblies may be used. These areinterchangeably mounted on the member 32 by means of the pivot pin 34.The length and end configuration of the pad 35 substantially match thoseof corresponding portions of the label L which is to be gripped thereby,whereby there is substantially no overhang at the top or the bottom ofthe pad. The pad support 33 and the member 32 have a width which eithercorresponds with or is smaller than that of the pad 35.

The backup arm 14 has a hub 14a which is non-rotatably affixed to backuparm shaft 37 by a tapered pin or the like at each label feeding station.Shaft 37'is r0- tatably supported and connected to linkage and cammingmeans, not shown, to oscillate the backup arm in the manner to bedescribed. Projecting outwardly from the hub 14a is an integralextension 1411 which is provided with threaded holes 140 therethrough.Aflixed to the extension 14b by machine screws engaging the threadedholes 140 is a substantially U-shaped support 38, the bifurcated distalend of which presents a pair of spaced arms 38a and 38b.

Each of the arms 38a and 33b is provided with an integral lug 39, 39',respectively, which is transversely bored and vertically slotted to itsfull depth, the slot running in a direction parallel the length of arms38a, 38b so as to form a pair of apertured, spaced, vertical ears.Carrier members 41), 40' are substantially fiat and each is providedwith a depending ear 40a, 4% adapted to be placed within one of theslots made in the lugs 39, 39'. One of the members 40, 411' is pivotallymounted on each arm 38a, 38b, by means of pivot pins 41, 41' fastenedwithin the transverse bore in the lugs 39, 39 and extending through abushing mounted in a transverse aperture in the depending ear of therespective member. Backup pads 42, 42', preferably elastomeric, arefastened to the top of members 40, 40, respectively, and are configuredsubstantially identically with the oppositely disposed side portions ofthe label which overhang the transfer pad 35. Springs 44 are afixecl toeach end of the rnernbers 41), 40' and the underlying arms 38a, 38b tomaintain the label contacting surfaces 43, 43' of the backup pads 42, 42substantially coplanar but capable of a restricted amount of independent:pivotal movement. This permits each to seek its own position whenpressed against an object. To feed a different size or configuration oflabel, the U-shaped support 38 assembly, including the attached carriermember 40, 40 and pads 42, 42', is replaced with a similar assemblyhaving backup pads of the correct size or shape.

Taken in numerical order, FIGURES 1 through 6 disclose the sequence ofoperations comprising one cycle in feeding and applying a label to acontainer at a single station. In FIGURE 1 the picker plates 19, 19 arecontiguous and moving upwardly toward the label hopper 11,

the label contacting surfaces 20, 20 having been coated with adhesive.The glue transfer roll 28 has completed its downward swing after coatingthe surfaces 20, 20' and is receiving another coating of adhesive fromthe glue delivery roll 25. The gripfinger 13 has placed an adhesivelycoated label L on the container C and thereupon the vacuum-air controlhas caused the pressure in the gripfinger shaft 30 to be raised tosuper-atmospheric to release the label, the label adhering to thecontainer by reason of the adhesive coating. The shaft 30 is about toreturn axially to the right to align the gripfinger with the balance ofthe elements and has started to rotate clockwise to place the gripfinger13 at rest above the backup arm, which is at rest at this time.

In FIGURE 2 the label contacting surfaces 20, 20' of picker plates 19,19' have been brought into contact with the back of the exposed label Lat the bottom of the stack retained in the hopper 11. The adhesivecoating on surfaces 20, 20' causes the exposed label to adhere theretoand to be stripped from between the balance of the stack of labels andthe narrow supporting ledges formed by the top surface of strips 24, 24'of the hopper as the picker plates 19, 19', move downwardly. Thedownward movement of the picker plates 19, 19', as shown in FIGURES 2and 3, transports the label to a predetermined position, the transferposition, with the picker plates still in their closed relationship. Assoon as the possibility of interfer ence with the downward swing ofpicker plates 19, 19 is eliminated, the gripfinger 13 and backup arm 14begin their upward swing towards the label at the transfer position.

FIGURE 3 depicts the relative positions of the picker plates 19, 19, thelabel L, gripfinger 13 and backup arm 14 at the point in time at whichthe latter two elements have completed their upward oscillation. Due totheir pivotal construction, the members 40, 40 on the backup arm 14 andthe support 33 of the gripfinger 13 pivot as necessary to adapt thebackup pads 42, 42' and the transfer pad 35 to the inclination of thelabels. The gripfinger contacts the label front with the vertical centerlines of the label and gripfinger in substantial alignment. At this timethe vacuum-air control causes the pressure in shaft 30 to drop belowatmospheric so as to draw a vacuum in the apertures 35b and grooves 35aof the transfer pad 35. All of the elements are shown at the transferposition with the label maintained between the label contacting surfaces20, 20 of picker plates 19, 19 and the planar composite surface formedby the outer face of transfer pad 34 and the surfaces 43, 43' of backuparm 14. It will be noted that by reason of the configuration of thetransfer pad 35 and the backup pads 42, 42' previously described, thecomposite planar surface referred to above substantially matches theface of the label L. Due to the vacuum acting on the label L through theapertures and grooves in the transfer pad 35, the front of the label isfirmly gripped or secured by the gripfinger 13.

Next, as shown in FIGURE 4, the picker plates 19, 19 are caused tospread apart at the transfer position while the label L is heldstationary by the vacuum engagement with the gripfinger. This actioncauses the adhesive to be evenly and uniformly distributed over the fullback surface of the label. In this connection, it will be recognizedthat the planar composite label contacting surfaces of the gripfinger 13and backup arm 14 firmly support substantially all portions of the labelto assure the uniformity of adhesive distribution required. When thespace intermediate the picker plates 19, 19 slightly exceeds the widthof the transfer pad 35, the spreading Operation is discontinued. Duringthis time the glue transfer roll 28 has commenced its upward swing, awayfrom the glue delivery roll 25.

The following step in the operation is illustrated in FIGURE 5. At aboutthe time the picker plates 19, 19' complete their separation, the backuparm 14 starts to swing downwardly toward its rest position. As soon asthe label contacting surfaces of the backup arm 14 release the label L,the gripfinger 13 swings upwardly between the separated picker plates19, 19 while still gripping the label by vacuum. This movement stripsthe overhanging side portions of the label from the label contactingsurfaces 20, 20 and moves the label toward a container C traveling alonga path perpendicular to that then being followed by the gripfinger 13.As the upward movement brings the label closer to the container, thegripfinger shaft 30 starts to move axially to the left in synchronismtherewith so that the gripfinger and label are moving at the same speedand in the same direction as the container at the instant the labeltouches it. The picker plates 19, 19 are already starting to swingupwardly toward the label hopper and the glue transfer roll 28 hasreached its upper extremity of movement in preparation for its glueapplicating stroke.

In FIGURE 6, the gripfinger is about to press the label L against thecontainer and the gripfinger shaft 30 is still moving axially to theleft. The backup arm is at rest awaiting the next cycle. The pickerplates 19, 19' have been brought together and are swinging upwardlytoward the next label to be fed. At the same time the glue transfer roll28 has started downwardly and the paths of the glue transfer roll andthe picker plates 19, 19' intersect as is apparent from FIGURE 6. Thevelocities and timing of the picker plates 19, 19 and the transfer roll28 are such to result in rolling or wiping contact of the transfer roll28 along the surfaces 20, 20' of the picker plates 11, 19 as eachproceeds along its path of travel. In this manner the glue transfer roll28 applies a coating of adhesive to the label contacting surfaces 20, 20and the elements continue to move to the positions of FIG- URE 1, atwhich time a new cycle commences.

Thus, there is provided an apparatus which effects uniform and completeadhesive application to a label, substantially eliminates the marking oflabels by label hopper supports and is capable of applying labels ofgreat diversity of size within a prescribed length of machine.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that variouschanges and modifications may be made without departing from theinvention, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all suchchanges and modifications that come within the true spirit and scope ofthe invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a labeling machine of the kind which includes a label hopper; alabel picking means adapted to withdraw an exposed label from thehopper, said picking means comprising a pair of picker elements movabletoward and from each other with a label contacting surface on each inthe same plane; means for applying adhesive to said surfaces of thepicker elements; means operative to move the picker elements, in closelyadjacent relation, to a label picking position wherein the said surfacesthereof contact the back of the exposed label, and to move said pickerelements, while maintained in the same relation, to a transfer positionto thereby withdraw and transport the exposed adherent label to saidtransfer position and means operative to separate the picker elementswhereby to spread the adhesive over the back of said label while thepicker elements are at said transfer position; the improvement whichcomprises in combination: a transfer pad with a label gripping faceoperative to engage the front of the label at said transfer position andretain the label while said picker elements are separated, said transferpad having a width substantially narrower than the width of said labeland adapted to contact the label front with the vertical center line ofthe transfer pad in approximate alignment with the vertical center lineof the label, and a backup arm mounted for movement to the transferposition in timed relationship with said picker elements and saidtransfer pad, said backup arm having a pair of coplanar label contactingsurfaces thereon adapted to be placed substantially in the plane of thelabel gripping face of said transfer pad, with one lying to either sideof said transfer pad face, at the transfer position while said pickerelements are being separated, said label contacting surface on saidbackup arm being configured to substantially match oppositely disposedportions of said label which extend outwardly of the sides of saidtransfer pad, whereby said portions are fully supported during said gluespreading operation.

2. A label feeding mechanism comprising:

(A) a hopper adapted to support a stack of labels with the back of thelabels facing downwardly;

(B) a pair of conjointly swinging picker plates having label contactingsurfaces thereon, said picker plates being adapted to oscillate betweena label picking position in which said surfaces contact the bottom labelof the said stack and a transfer position distant from said hopper,means to cause said picker plates to be movable toward and from eachother with said surfaces coplanar whereby the picker plates are adjacentin the label picking position and during the movement thereof to saidtransfer position, become separated at said transfer position and becomeadjacent during the movement thereof from said trans fer position tosaid picking position;

(C) an adhesive applicating means for placing a coating of adhesive onsaid surfaces as the picker plates move toward said picking position;

(D) a gripfinger having a width substantially narrower than the width ofthe said labels and adapted to engage the vertical central portion ofthe front of said label and retain the same while the picker plates areseparated; and

(E) a backup arm having a pair of backup pads in spaced substantiallyplanar relationship, said backup arm being mounted for movement to saidtransfer position in timed relationship with said picker plates andgripfinger to place one backup pad to either side of said gripfingerwith the label contacting faces of said gripfinger and said backup padscoplanar, said label contacting faces of said backup pads beingconfigured to match side portions of the label front which are not inengagement with said gripfinger, whereby said side portions are fullysupported while said picker plates are spread.

3. The mechanism of claim 2 in which said hopper includes narrow andcontinuous supporting ledges interconnecting a plurality of labelretaining prongs on each side of said label stack whereby to-preventmarking of said bottom label.

4. A backup arm for a label feeding mechanism employing spreadable,conjointly swinging picking elements and a pneumatic gripfinger having awidth substantially narrower than the width of said label and a faceadapted to engage the central vertical portion of said label wherebyoppositely disposed overhanging side portions of the label do notcontact said face, said backup arm comprising: a pair of backup padsconfigured to substantially match the side portions of the label whichare not engaged by the face of said gripfinger, said pads beingsubstantially coplanar and spaced from one another by a distanceslightly greater than the width of said gripfinger, said backup armbeing movable in timed relationship with said gripfinger whereby one ofsaid pads is placed on each side of the gripfinger and in planaralignment with the face thereof at the time of the engagement of saidface with said label.

5. The backup arm of claim 4 in which said backup pads are pivotallymounted on said backup arm and spring biased at each end whereby tomaintain the coplanar relationship between said backup pads while makingthem capable of a restricted amount of independent pivotal movement topermit each said pad to seek its own posi tion when both are pressedagainst said label side portions in use.

References Cited by the Examiner FOREIGN PATENTS 474,918 4/ 1929Germany.

References Cited by the Applicant UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,231,634 7/1917Muslar. 1,630,235 5/1927 Ekvall. 1,901,101 3/1933 Holm.

2,414,019 1/ 1947 Carter. 2,503,872 4/1950 Holm.

2,528,944 11/ 1950 Carter.

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner. L. G. MACHLIN, AssistantExaminer.

1. IN A LABELING MACHINE OF THE KIND WHICH INCLUDES A LABEL HOPPER; ALABEL PICKING MEANS ADAPTED TO WITHDRAW AN EXPOSED LABEL FROM THEHOPPER, SAID PICKING MEANS COMPRISING A PAIR OF PICKER ELEMENTS MOVABLETOWARD AND FROM EACH OTHER WITH A LABEL CONTACTING SURFACE ON EACH INTHE SAME PLANE; MEANS FOR APPLYING ADHESIVE TO SAID SURFACES OF THEPICKER ELEMENTS; MEANS OPERATIVE TO MOVE THE PICKER ELEMENTS, IN CLOSELYADJACENT RELATION, TO A LABEL PICKING POSITION WHEREIN THE SAID SURFACESTHEREOF CONTACT THE BACK OF THE EXPOSED LABEL, AND TO MOVE SAID PICKERELEMENTS, WHILE MAINTAINED IN THE SAME RELATION, TO A TRANSFER POSITIONTO THEREBY WITHDRAW AND TRANSPORT THE EXPOSED ADHERENT LABEL TO SAIDTRANSFER POSITION AND MEANS OPERATIVE TO SEPARATE THE PICKER ELEMENTSWHEREBY TO SPREAD THE ADHESIVE OVER THE BACK OF SAID LABEL WHILE THEPICKER ELEMENTS ARE AT SAID TRANSFER POSITION; THE IMPROVEMENT WHICHCOMPRISES IN COMBINATION: A TRANSFER PAD WITH A LABEL GRIPPING FACEOPERATIVE TO ENGAGE THE FRONT OF THE LABEL AT SAID TRANSFER POSITION ANDRETAIN THE LABEL WHILE SAID PICKER ELEMENTS ARE SEPARATED, SAID TRANSFERPAD HAVING A WIDTH SUBSTANTIALLY NARROWER THAN THE WIDTH OF SAID LABELAND ADAPTED TO CONTACT THE LABEL FRONT WITH THE VERTICAL CENTER LINE OFTHE TRANSFER PAD IN APPROXIMATE ALIGNMENT WITH THE VERTICAL CENTER LINEOF THE LABEL, AND A BACKUP ARM MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT TO THE TRANSFERPOSITION IN TIMED RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID PICKER ELEMENTS AND SAIDTRANSFER PAD, SAID BACKUP ARM HAVING A PAIR OF COPLANAR LABEL CONTACTINGSURFACES THEREON ADAPTED TO BE PLACED SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE PLANE OF THELABEL GRIPPING FACE OF SAID TRANSFER PAD, WITH ONE LYING TO EITHER SIDEOF SAID TRANFER PAD FACE, AT THE TRANSFER POSITION WHILE SAID PICKERELEMENTS ARE BEING SEPARATED, SAID LABEL CONTACTING SURFACE ON SAIDBACKUP ARM BEING CONFIGURED TO SUBSTANTIALLY MATCH OPPOSITELY DISPOSEDPORTIONS OF SAID LABEL WHICH EXTEND OUTWARDLY OF THE SIDES OF SAIDTRANSFER PAD, WHEREBY SAID PORTIONS ARE FULLY SUPPORTED DURING SAID GLUESPREADING OPERATION.